MANCHESTER CITY’S style is “no way to play to football”, claims Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler.
The respected broadcaster pointed to Erling Haaland’s THREE completed passes against Chelsea on Sunday as an example of the negative effects of “over-coaching”.
Tyler told The Football Authorities podcast: “The most prolific goal scorer in the Premier League at the moment– 91 goals in 100 appearances now – played a game on Sunday.
“He had one touch of the ball between the 18th and the 52nd minute, completed three passes throughout the game, one dribble, one goal.”
Former ITV broadcaster Clive Tyldesley replied: “Is the new centre forward somebody who doesn’t see a great deal of the ball?”
Before Tyler, 78, responded: “Haaland, he’s such a good player and he gets so few touches because of the way Manchester City play.
“I don’t know how he manages on this. The goals and the medals and the money all make it work – but it’s no way to play football.”
Man City play a possession-based style, emphasising quick, short passes to control the ball out from the back.
Much was often made of Haaland’s lack of touches last season, with games against Bournemouth, Liverpool and the defeat to Aston Villa particularly highlighted.
And the Norweigan ace was barely involved in City’s play in their 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend.
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Haaland completed just three passes, which is the fewest amount a player has managed in 90 minutes for a Pep Guardiola-coached team.
He acknowledged he needs to improve despite notching his 91st goal for City in 100 games for the club.
Haaland said: “When you see today, all the defenders and how good they play to the midfielders. Pep will not like me saying this, but they don’t need me in this team, so I can just stand there and watch!
“I want to get more involved, that’s what Pep wants.
“But in games like this, do I need to be that more involved? That’s the million-dollar question.
“I want to get more assists and become a better player.”
The 24-year-old has proven he doesn’t need to be involved in the game to get goals, winning the Golden Boot in his first two campaigns.
He opened the scoring from close range on Sunday before former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic finished the home side off in the 84th minute.
Tyler later added: “I think the game is a bit overcoached. We put too much emphasis on the managers as broadcasters, the constant cutting to bench shots.
“In terms of playing out of the back in the lower league, the pitches aren’t good enough, the players aren’t good enough and the risk and reward; there’s very little reward.”
MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.
Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….
Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?
Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.
It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.
Custis: Why is that?
Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.
But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.
I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.
Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.
